Taking advantage of the distraction caused by Lance and Roark, Emily and her teammates seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed, making their way towards Ethan. Grateful yet apprehensive, they pressed forward, leaving their friends to confront the oncoming challenge.

"Dagger, do you remember the route?" Emily inquired, her tone grave and focused as she led the team.

"Absolutely," Dagger affirmed with confidence, his voice assured. He had meticulously committed the layout of the building to memory the previous night.

"Good. Lead the way," Emily ordered, her voice firm and resolute as she signaled for Dagger to lead the way.

Following Dagger's guidance, they navigated through the winding corridors with precision, evading detection by their adversaries. Swift and silent, they moved with stealth and agility, intent on reaching their destination undetected.

"This way," Dagger whispered, his voice barely above a murmur as he indicated the path forward.

"Hold it," Emily commanded, her voice sharp with alertness as she sensed the looming danger ahead.

"What should we do now?" Mia inquired, her tone tinged with concern as she turned to Emily for guidance, her eyes reflecting her anxiety.

"We'll backtrack and find an alternate route. There's no need to draw unnecessary attention by engaging in combat," Emily responded calmly, her voice steady and composed. Consulting the map, she quickly identified an alternative path, her decision guided by rationality and strategic thinking.

"Okay," Mia replied, her voice filled with relief as she nodded in agreement with Emily's decision. She followed Emily's lead obediently, her heart hopeful as they pressed onward.

Their journey took them down the alternate path, each step taken with caution and silence as they evaded detection by the enemy forces.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Suddenly, their hopes were dashed as Leo cried out in agony.

"Aagh!"

Turning swiftly, they beheld Leo clutching his arm, blood seeping from a fresh wound where an arrow had pierced his flesh. Shocked and wounded, he stared at the injury with disbelief.

"I anticipated your arrival," a figure emerged from the shadows ahead, brandishing a bow and arrows with a smirk of confidence adorning her features.

"Nila!" Emily's recognition was instantaneous, her voice laced with anger and disdain as she addressed their adversary.

"Vice leader, who is she?" Leo inquired, his voice strained with pain as he gingerly removed the arrow from his arm, wincing at the sensation. Applying pressure to the wound, he hoped fervently that it hadn't been tainted with poison.

"Oh, her. She's the vice guildmaster of the Beast Guild. She fancies herself as the strongest archer," Emily remarked, her tone filled with disdain.

"I don't merely claim it. I am the strongest archer," Nila retorted confidently, a smug grin playing on her lips as she adjusted her hood.

"If you believe you earned that title by winning the marksman tournament, you're sorely mistaken. Your victory was merely a consequence of my absence in the final round," Emily countered, her voice icy and composed.

"Isn't it obvious you were scared to face me, which is why you backed out?" Nila's voice dripped with mockery and taunts.

"No, I simply didn't find the tournament to my taste," Emily replied vaguely, her tone evasive.

"Fine, then let's settle it right here and now. Let's find out who the strongest archer truly is," Nila challenged, drawing her bow taut with determination.

"I would love to but I don't have much time so, goodbye." Emily's words were sharp and devoid of emotion.

Before Nila could say something, a sudden, searing pain lanced through her neck. Gasping for breath, she dropped her bow, clutching at her throat as blood spilled from the wound. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief as she looked down, spotting the glint of a knife embedded in her flesh.

"What!?" Nila wheeled around to face her assailant, finding Dagger standing behind her. His expression was cold and impassive as he met her gaze, the knife still gripped firmly in his hand.

"Goodbye," Dagger said calmly, delivering a final, decisive slash that ended Nila's life. He withdrew his knife, wiping it clean on her jacket with a swift motion.

As Nila's allies grew agitated and moved to attack, Emily swiftly took charge. "Let's finish them," she commanded her teammates, her voice resolute as she prepared to confront the oncoming enemies charging towards Dagger.

"It's okay. I can handle them," Emily started to say, but Dagger interrupted her, signaling for silence. With a swift motion, he activated his stealth ability and vanished from sight.

As the enemies searched in confusion, Dagger reappeared behind them, striking with deadly precision. He moved like a shadow, dispatching each opponent swiftly and silently with his knife.

"Wow! Bro has improved so much," Mia whispered in awe as she watched Dagger's skillful maneuvers. She was amazed and impressed by his prowess in combat.

"Yes, he's become more powerful," Mike agreed, his eyes fixed on Dagger's swift movements.

Leo nodded in silent agreement, his admiration evident as he observed the ongoing battle.

"Let's keep going," Emily ordered, her voice firm and determined.

They regrouped and resumed their journey, their resolve strengthened by Dagger's display of skill.